How can i clean up the mess i made and organise my progams

please explain a concrete problem.

Did you try using Synaptic ?

Hi , I have started by purchasing a new pc. amd 64 processor 250 gig 2gMB. and decided that i should linux and the store installed Ubuntu for me. so iam experience a new world, iam not that literate i knew how to use the first windows XP but that puter crashed and hence the reason for having to purchase a new system, so far i get along fine with emails and some of the internet
 when coming to down load files that is also a problem, i dont know where they go and i think that there is to much different stuff on the progamme system i have in the upper bar Applications Places Systems i have atsrted using from there. but ther are so many different players etc and audio components. that its quite confusing i wish to get something that i can undrstand, I am also 64yrs old and learning is interesting but still confused. my destop screen dont have a my computer and other icons that i am used to. so i was wondering if you could get to my syestem and correct by some way of support/

Welcome to a new world of freedom. Given your experience with MS it is understandable that you have this particular frustration. However, it is important that you let go of the old ways and embrace the Linux way (at least if you want to be successful with Linux).

With few exceptions, you don't download and install software with Linux. You use the built in "package management" software that installs a great many programs for you from the approved and supported servers (called repositories). A fresh install of Ubuntu includes most software that the average computer user needs. If you are uncertain what piece of software to use for a given task feel free to ask. If the basic install lacks something you need, open the Synaptic Package Manager (located in system - admin) and search for what you need.

As for downloading and storing anything, it should all go in your /home folder. This is like the My Documents folder in windows but it also contains all your hidden setting files and such. The actual path to this folder is /home/username/ where username is the name you use to log in. If you click on places - home folder on the menu bar you will open that folder in the file browser. Put everything there. Don't mess with the other folders or you risk messing things up.

If you have a specific need, please explain it here and we will try and help you work it out.

Best of luck and welcome.